VEGETABLE CULTURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20372, 28 September 1929, Page 5 (Supplement)

VEGETABLE CULTURE.

HASTENING ON THE WORK. With the favourable change in the weather and drier condition of the soil, no effort should be spared to hasten furward tho sowing and planting of all seasonable crops. During tho early parts of tho month much of this work had to be delayed on account of tho frequent rains. Crops that were sown had not tho sanio chance of succeeding as thoso planted when more favourable conditions prevail. In addition to a good break of potatoes and onions, plantings should be made of cabbage, cauliflo.wr, lettuce, asparagus, artichokes, rhubarb, thyme, sage, mint, marjoram and other herbs. Sowings too, should be inado of peas, spinach, beet, lettuce, turnips, carrots, celery, locks, broad beans, mustard, cress, radishes, and parsley. French and runner beans are tender subjects, and unless the position is warm and favourable, little is gained by sowing until there is a reasonable amount of warmth in the soil. 'iho dwarf varieties, however, are slightly more hardy than the runners, so that a sowing of theso at this time is always worth tho risk.

Tho ground set apart for tho growing of cucumbers, marrows, pumpkins, squashes, melons and similar crops, should now bo thoroughly broken up and prepared in readiness for sowing during the following months. If the plants have been raised in pots under glass, it is important that they bo allowed to become well hardened off before putting out. ROCK ANI? WATER MELONS. Littlo is gained in sowing rock or water melons until well into next month. These require plenty of warmth and, unless this is in evidence, the plants make little or no growth. For growing cucumbers the soil cannot be made too rich, and if stable manure is not obtainable they may be sown or planted where weeds, grass, leaves, or other garden refuso have been collected and allowed to decay.

A mound formed of this material not only provides the necessary food, but retains the moisture that is so essential to healthy growth and fruitfulness. Cucumber when growing and fruiting freely, are naturally moisture-loving subjects and quickly deteriorate if allowed to suffer for the want of it.

Vegetable marrows will grow and fruit well in almost any garden soil that has been worked and manured for other crops, while tho same applies to pumpkins and squashes. Beyond raising and carefully protecting the plants until they are strong and hardy enough to resist the attacks of slugs and snails,' little is required except keeping the plants freo from weeds. Too rich a soil for these is by no means an advantage, as luxuriant growth often results in but scanty crops. A little assistance later in the season is often more beneficial. PROTECTION FOR PLANTS. With all early sowing of theso rind other trailing plants, some protection should be given until the plants aro raised and are sufficiently advanced and hardened to stand exposure. Melons aro best sown any timo from tho middle of> next month until tho first week in November, so that there should bo "no delay in having tho ground in readiness for sowing. In sowing this crop, so much depends upon tho soil, situation, and tho method of raising adopted that no definite time of sowing can bo laid down. As already stated littlo is gained in sowing until there is sufficient warmth in the ground to insure quick germination as well as healthy growth after tho plants are raised. If raised undor boxes and covered with glass they may actually be sown earlier than when no protection is given, especially in warm favourable situations. With plants raised in this way, careful ventilation must be> applied until the plants become well established and sufficiently hardened to stand exposure. SOWING ON MOUNDS. When sowing the different varieties of melons tho grower must bo guided by tho nature of tho soil as to whether it would bo better to sow upon slight mounds or upon tho level surface. In soils of a light, dray nature the latter plan is preferable, as tho plants are better protected from winds and drought than when growing upon raised mounds. Rock melons succeed best when grown in a good loamy soil that has been well worked and manured for a previous crop. No fresh manure should be applied while the soil should be made firm when sowing. Water melons require moro space to spread and should bo arranged from Bft. to 12ft. apart, according to tho varieties grown. Theso succeed best in a deep, rich, sandy loam that will retain sufficient moisturo without becoming sodden. If tho ground has been previously manured no further manure should be needed at the timo of sowing. 11, on tho other hand, tho ground is poor and manuring is necessary, dig out a hole 3ft. in diameter to the depth of the spade and place in a good layer of well-rotten manure and refill with fine soil in which the seed can bo sown. FLOWERING PEACHES. Double-flowering peaches aro most attractive at tho present time. Tho beautiful snow-white variety is laden with a profusion of rosette-like blossoms. There is a variety with double crimson flowers, a light pink double, a blood red kind and one with clear pink and striped double flowers. All aro undoubtedly special objects of beauty when in full blossom, and although tho flowering season is of short duration, they deserve a placo among spring-flowering trees.